THE INSIDER AUTHORITY ON GATOR SPORTS

Updated: Erik Murphy, Cody Larson arrested, suspended from team

UPDATE 11:00 A.M. APRIL 11 – Two University of Florida basketball players were arrested early Sunday morning and charged with third-degree felony burglary. They have been suspended from all basketball-related activities by head coach Billy Donovan.

According to the St. Augustine Police Department, junior forward Erik Murphy and redshirt freshman forward Cody Larson entered Scarlett O’Hara’s Bar and Restaurant in downtown St. Augustine just before close.

The two players were standing near an employee counting cash and looking suspiciously around, and bouncers asked them to leave the establishment, according to police.

They then went across the street to a parking lot and attempted to break into a car. A bouncer standing outside recognized the car as a coworker’s, and bouncers chased the players from the parking lot, police said.

Police said a third man, Joshua Adel, was nearby and surrendered to police when they arrived. He told police he was associated with the team and convinced the players to return to the scene, where they were taken into custody and brought to the St. John’s County Detention Center.

“I’m aware of Cody and Erik’s situation and very disappointed with the news,” Donovan said. “The two are currently suspended from basketball-related activities. I’m not going to comment further until I have more information.”

According to booking records, the players were booked just after 4 a.m. Sunday. Adel was charged with principal to burglary.

All three have been released on $5,000 bond.

Larson is currently on probation for a drug-related incident that occurred when he was in high school.

Murphy had been previously cited for underage drinking in Alachua County on July 23, 2010, but the charges were dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Murphy, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-10, 229-pound forward from Rhode Island, averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 2010. Larson, 19, redshirted in his first year in Gainesville.

UPDATE 11:00 A.M. APRIL 11 – Two University of Florida basketball players were arrested early Sunday morning and charged with third-degree felony burglary. They have been suspended from all basketball-related activities by head coach Billy Donovan.

According to the St. Augustine Police Department, junior forward Erik Murphy and redshirt freshman forward Cody Larson entered Scarlett O’Hara’s Bar and Restaurant in downtown St. Augustine just before close.

The two players were standing near an employee counting cash and looking suspiciously around, and bouncers asked them to leave the establishment, according to police.

They then went across the street to a parking lot and attempted to break into a car. A bouncer standing outside recognized the car as a coworker’s, and bouncers chased the players from the parking lot, police said.

Police said a third man, Joshua Adel, was nearby and surrendered to police when they arrived. He told police he was associated with the team and convinced the players to return to the scene, where they were taken into custody and brought to the St. John’s County Detention Center.

“I’m aware of Cody and Erik’s situation and very disappointed with the news,” Donovan said. “The two are currently suspended from basketball-related activities. I’m not going to comment further until I have more information.”

According to booking records, the players were booked just after 4 a.m. Sunday. Adel was charged with principal to burglary.

All three have been released on $5,000 bond.

Larson is currently on probation for a drug-related incident that occurred when he was in high school.

Murphy had been previously cited for underage drinking in Alachua County on July 23, 2010, but the charges were dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Murphy, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-10, 229-pound forward from Rhode Island, averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 2010. Larson, 19, redshirted in his first year in Gainesville.